Steamboat ratchet



l UNITED Patented Aug. 28, 1934 PATENT oFFI'CEF v 'STAMBOAT RATCHET I charles Wolf, st. Leni-s, Mo. Application February 27,1932, serial Natsaiea 3 claims. (o1. 287-109) This invention relates to steamboat towing ratchets.'4 and has for its object the provision of an improved device of Ythis type which is so constructed and arranged that the manufacture thereof is simplied and the device is rendered more durable. y

Fig. 1 is a view of the improved device shown partly in section and partly in elevation.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. i

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail of a portion of the improved device.

In the drawing, wherein is shown for the purpose of illustration, merely, one embodiment of the invention, A designates the improved device generally. 'I'he device A includes an elongated, tubular element l, at the approximate longitudinal center of which ya suitable ratchet Wheel 2 is xed. The ratchet wheel 2 is embraced by spaced apart leg portions 3 of a bifurcated element 4, said spaced apart leg portions being provided with alined apertures 5 through which the tubular elel ment 1 passes in a more or less loose manner, so that said bifurcated element 4 may be rotated about the tubular element 1. The bifurcated element 4 has pivoted thereto by means of the pivot member 6 a pawl 7, the free end of which is adapted to cooperate with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 2 in such manner that movement of the bifurcated element about the tubular element will subject said tubular element to rotary movement about its axis. The bifurcated element 4 is provided with an operating portion 8 which facilitates the operation of subjecting the bifurcated element to the movement referred to above.

Disposed within the tubular element 1 at the opposite ends thereof is a pair of internally screwthreaded nuts 9 through which a pair of externally screw-threaded rods 10 are extended, so that the external screw-threads thereof engage the internal screw-threads of the nuts. The external screw-threads of the rods 10 are extended in opposite directions; that is to say, one rod 10 is provided with right-hand screw-threads, While the other rod is provided with left-hand screwthreads. The nuts 9 are, of course, provided with screw-.threads `which are `also extended in opposite directions so as to correspond with the screw-threads of the rods 10. `The nuts 9 are fixed in place in the opposite end portions of the tubular element 1 by providing each of said nuts with diametrically opposed projections l1` which preferably are triangular in cross-section. The projections are extended into correspondingly shaped notches 12 formed in the wall of the tubularl element 1 at the inner face thereof, as shown clearly in Fig. 2.. Preferablythe projectionsV 1-1 and notches 12 `have the longitudinal shape shown in Fig. 3; that is to say, each projection is pro-t vided With an inclined annular face 13 at its inner "00 end which contacts with a correspondingly shaped and arranged face 14 formed'at the inner end of the associated notch, whereby inward movement of the nuts is prevented.

The outer end portions of the nuts 9 are pro- 05 vided with inclined annular faces 15, and the opposite end portions of the tubular element 1 are drawn or forced inwardly, as indicated at 16, into close contact with said inclined faces. Also, the extreme outer ends of the tubular element 1 are 1Q turned inwardly as indicated at 17 in Figs. 1 and 3. For the purpose of additionally xing the positions of the nuts 9 with respect to the tubular element 1, I braze said nuts in place, as indicated Vat 18 in Fig. 3. 75

i At the outer ends of the rods 10 the device A includes suitable connecting means B to which chains or other connectors are attached when the device is in use. The connecting means B comprise each a link 19 which is attached to an eye 20 located at the outer end of the associated rod 10. Loosely connected to the link 19 by means of a smaller .link 20 is a clamping element 21, said clamping element being held in the position shown in Fig. 1 by a link 22 which is loosely connected to the link 19 and is adapted to embrace a portion of said clamping element. When the connectors (not shown) are to be attached to the connecting means B the links 22 are moved to release the clamping elements 2l, and said clamping elements are passed through links when the connectors are chains, or loops formed therein when the connectors are lines, after which said clamping elements are moved to the position in which they are illustrated in Fig. 1 and are engaged by the links 22.

In the use of the device the bifurcated element 4 is oscillated about the tubular element 1 so as to rotate saidtubular element about its center through the operation of the ratchet wheel 2 and pawl 7. Such rotation of the tubular element willV result in the nuts 9 being rotated' about the rods 10, whereby said rods Will be caused to travel longitudinally of their major axes.k The free end of the pawl 7 is capable of being moved from one to the otherrside of the pivot member 6 so as to permit of the tubular element 1 being rotated in either direction.

'I'he predominant feature of the invention is the construction and arrangement of the portions of the device at the locations of the nuts 9, such construction and arrangement greatly simplifying the manufacture of the device and producing a device of improved strength and durability.

The nuts 9 are preferably formed of bronze or other suitable material which is characterized by the ability to resist the formation of rust thereon.

I claim: Y

1. In combination, a tubular element, a nut having a screw-threaded opening formed therethrough, and means for securing said nut in place Within an end of said tubular element, said means comprising a projection in the form of an elongated, narrow rib formed on one of said members which is extended into a depression formed in the other of said members, and inclined faces at the opposite ends of said nut which contact with corresponding inclined faces at the Wall of said tubular element.

2. In combination, a tubular element, a nut having a screw-threaded opening formed therethrough, and means for securing said nut in place Within an end of said tubular element, said means comprising a projection in the form of an elongated, narrow rib formed longitudinally on said nut which is extended into a depression formed in the Wall of said tubular element, inclined faces at the opposite ends of said nut which contact with corresponding inclined faces at the Wall of said tubular element, and brazed joints between said nut and the wall of said tubular element.

3. In combination, a tubular element, a nut, and means for securing said nut in place Within an end of said tubular element, said means comprising a projection on said nut which is extended into a depression formed in the Wall of said tubular element, inclined faces at the opposite ends of said nut which contact with corresponding inclined faces formed at the Wall of said tubular element, and a portion at the outer end of said tubular element which is displaced and forced into close contact with the outer end portion of said nut.

CHARLES WOLF. 

